Ever since Brie Ripley was young, she knew she didn’t want to reproduce. But despite her struggles with other birth control methods, doctors refused to allow her access to a tubal ligation procedure. And she’s not alone — it’s extremely difficult for women to choose sterilization as a permanent form of birth control.

Tie My Tubes is a forthcoming radio documentary, co-produced by Jocelyn Macdonald and Brie Ripley, that follows Brie’s story, also looking at the broader issue of sterilization — both voluntary and forced — and explores the reasons why it’s so difficult for women to access tubal ligation.

In this episode, I speak with Brie and Jocelyn about their project and about the barriers to real reproductive freedom.

Founder & Editor

Meghan Murphy is a freelance writer and journalist. She has been podcasting and writing about feminism since 2010 and has published work in numerous national and international publications, including New Statesman, Vice, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, I-D, Truthdig, and more. Meghan completed a Masters degree in the department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University in 2012 and lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her dog.